Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-04-01
MiseeIlamenns.
NO ROOM FOR MOTHER.


''No, mann"
"Going South, then 2"
II dou't know, ma'am."
why, there are only two ways to
60"
II didn't know. was never on the
cars. I'm waiting for tho train to 20 to
John"
John Z? There is no town called
John. Where is it?"
"Ohl Johns my son. He's out in
Kansas on claim"
II am going right to Kansas, myself.
You intend to visit ?"
mo, maam."
She said it with sigh so heartburn
dened, the stranger was touched.
John sick ?"
mo"
The evasive tone, the look Of pain in
the furrowed face was noticed by the
stylish lady as the gray head bowed
upon the toil-marked hand. She wanted
to hear her story; to help her.
Excuse me-John in trouble 7"
"No, no-Pm in trouble. Trouble
my old heart never thought to see."
"The train does not come for some
time. Here, rest your head upon my
cloak"
You are kind. II my own were SO
shouldn't be in trouble tonight"
"What is your trouble? Maybe | can
help you"
''Its hard to tell it to strangers, but
my old heart is too full to keep il bzs,,..
when was left widow with the
three children, l thought it more than |
could bear but it wasn't as bad as this
The stranger waited till she recovered
her voice TO 90 on.
81 had only the cottage and my will
ing hands. | toiled carly and late all
the years till John could help me.
Then we kept the girls at school, John
and me. They were married not long
ago--married rich, as the world goes.
John sold the cottage, sent me to tho
city to live with them, and no went
West to begin for himself. He said we
had provided for the girls and they
would provide for me now
Her voice choked with emotion. The
stranger waited in silence.
II went to them in the city. went
to Mary's first. She lived in great
house, with servants TO wait on her--a
house many times larger than the little
cottage; but soon found there wasn't
nom enough for me-"
"he tears stood ia tho lines on her
cheeks. The ticket agent came out softy,
sSrred the fire and went back. After
paf.e she continued:
"ISwent 10 Martha's-went with a
pain IN my heart | never felt before. I
was willing TO do anything SO as not to
De burden. But that wasn't il. |
isune they were ashamed Of my bent old
body, vithercd nee, and wrinkled hands.
made SO toih4g for them .
The tears cane Thick and f.st now
The strangers had re.tsd caress;n,Iv
on the gray head. e'
cat last they told % that Iun.,,;u.
at boarding house, al tbs.,J 'I NV
me there. couldn't say astb;, nseP
my heart was too full Of pail D D.n,,
to John what they were goiuk 70 p ~
He wrote right back, a long, KIND let-
ter, for me to come right to him.
II always had home while he had
roof, he said---to come right there and
stay as long as ] lived; THAI his mother
should never 20 out to strangers. SO
I'm going 10 John. Hes got only his
rough hands and his great warm heart;
but there's room for his old mother
God bless--him-"
The stranger brushed a tear from her
fair ..chsek and awaited the conclusion.
"Some day, when am gone where
I'll never trouble them again, Mary and
Martha will think Of il all. Some day,
when the hands that toilsd for them are
folded and still; when the eyes that
watched over them through many a
weary night are closed forever; when
the little old body, bent with tho bur-
dens it bore for them, is put away whero
il can never shame them"
The agent drew his hand quickly be-
fore bis eyes, and went out, as If to look
for the train. The strangers jeweled
fingers stroked the gray locks, while the
tears Of sorrow and tho tears Of sympa-
thy fell together.
Tho weary heart was unburdened.
Soothed by the touch Of sympathy the
troubled soul yielded to the longing for
rest, and she fell asleep.
The agent went noiselsssly about his
duties that he might not wake her. As
the fair stranger watched she saw smile
on the care-worn face. The lips moved.
She bent down TO hear.
Pm doing it for Mary and Martha.
They will take care Of me some time"
She was dreaming Of the days in the
little cottage--of the fond hopes which
inspired her, long before she learned,
with broken heart. that some day shc
.-n..Is ,,,.o hou,olaaa in tha xworld IN